MAZDA MODEL MPV 2002 Owners Manual (in English)

5-11
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K

Overdrive
Overdrive operation
In D, the transaxle automatically shifts to
overdrive, which improves fuel economy
and reduces noise.
To allow engine braking when going
down a steep grade, make sure the
overdrive button is in the off position.
And for a smoother ride with less shifting,
don’t use it when:
•Going up a steep grade.
•Driving in stop-and-go traffic.
•Pulling heavy loads.
To turn off the overdrive, push the
button.
The transaxle will then shift through a 4-
gear sequence in D.
Shift patterns without overdrive:
D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
3 = 2nd, 3rd
2 = 2nd
To turn it on, push the button again.
Shift patterns with overdrive:
D = 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
3 = 2nd, 3rd
2 = 2ndO/D OFF indicator light
This light comes on when the overdrive
has been turned off.

Driving Tips
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, depress
the accelerator fully. The transaxle will
shift to a lower gear, depending on vehicle
speed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to D or 2, depending on the load
weight and grade steepness.
3. Release all brakes while gradually
accelerating.
Overdrive button
If the overdrive-off indicator light
flashes, the transaxle has an electrical
problem. Continuing to drive your
Mazda in this condition could cause
damage to your transaxle. Consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
CAUTION
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5-12
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift to 3
or 2, depending on load weight and grade
steepness. Descend slowly, using the
brakes only occasionally to prevent them
from overheating.Power steering is only operable when the
engine is running. If the engine is off or if
the power steering system is inoperable,
you can still steer, but it requires more
physical effort.
If the steering feels rigid during normal
driving, consult an Authorized Mazda
Dealer.Power Steering
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme left or right for more than five
seconds with the engine running.
This could damage the power steering
system.
CAUTION
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5-13
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
With cruise control, you can set and
automatically maintain any speed of more
than about 40 km/h (25 mph).

Cruise Set Indicator Light
This light comes on when a cruising speed
is set.

Activation/Deactivation
To activate the system, push the CRUISE
MAIN switch.
To deactivate the system, push the switch
again.
Cruise Control
Cruise Control Use:
Using cruise control in the following
conditions could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle:
•Heavy or unsteady traffic
•Slippery or winding roads
•Similar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
Don’t use cruise control in these
situations.
WARNING
Cruise Main Switch:
Leaving the CRUISE MAIN switch
on when not using the cruise control
is dangerous as the cruise control
lever could be bumped, activating the
vehicle speed setting function. This
could result in loss of vehicle control
and an accident.
Make sure the CRUISE MAIN switch
is off when cruise control is not in
use.
WARNING
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5-14
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K

To Set Speed
1. Turn on the CRUISE MAIN switch.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed, which
must be more than 40 km/h (25 mph).
3. Press the lever down to SET/COAST
and release it at the speed you want.
Release the accelerator at the same
time.
Don’t continue to hold the lever. Until
you release it, speed will continue to
drop (unless you continue to
accelerate) and you’ll miss the desired
speed.

To Increase Cruising Speed
Follow either of these procedures.
•Press the lever up to RES/ACC and
hold it. Your vehicle will accelerate.
Release the lever at the speed you
want.
Your vehicle has a tap-up feature that
allows you to increase your current
speed in increments of 1.6 km/h (1
mph) by a momentary tap of the lever.
Multiple taps will increase your vehicle
speed 1.6 km/h (1 mph) for each tap.
•Accelerate to the desired speed.
Press the lever down to SET/COAST
and release it immediately.
NOTE
•The SET function can’t be activated
until about 2 seconds after the
CRUISE MAIN switch has been
engaged.
•On a steep grade, the vehicle may
momentarily slow down going up or
speed up while going down.
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5-15
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K

To Decrease Cruising Speed
Press the lever down to SET/COAST and
hold it. The vehicle will gradually slow.
Release the lever at the speed you want.
Your vehicle has a tap-down feature that
allows you to decrease your current speed
in decrements of 1.6 km/h (1 mph) by a
momentary tap of the lever. Multiple taps
will decrease your vehicle speed 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) for each tap.

To Resume Cruising Speed at
More Than 40 km/h (25 mph)
If some other method besides the CRUISE
MAIN was used to cancel cruising speed
and the system is still activated, the most
recent set speed will automatically resume
when the lever is pressed up to RES/ACC,
then released.
If vehicle speed is below 40 km/h (25
mph), increase the vehicle speed up to 40
km/h (25 mph) and press the lever up to
RES/ACC.
NOTE
Accelerate if you want to speed up
temporarily when the cruise control is
on. Greater speed will not interfere
with it or change the set speed.
Take your foot off the accelerator to
return to the set speed.
NOTE
With an automatic transaxle vehicle,
the gear is automatically selected when
going uphill.
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5-16
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K

To Cancel
To turn off the system, use one
of these
methods:
•Press the CRUISE MAIN switch.
•Slightly depress the brake pedal.
•Pull the lever toward you.
The system is off when the ignition is off.The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by regulating
engine torque. When the TCS detects
driving wheel slippage, it lowers engine
torque to prevent loss of traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels
without causing them to spin and lose
traction.
NOTE
Cruise control will cancel at about 15
km/h (9 mph) below the preset speed
or below 40 km/h (25 mph).
Traction Control System
(TCS)
TCS and Unsafe Driving:
The traction control system (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed,
tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning
(reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an
accident. So don’t rely on the traction
control system as a substitute for safe
driving.
TCS and Snow and Ice:
Driving without proper traction
devices on snow and ice-covered
roads is dangerous. The traction
control system (TCS) alone cannot
provide adequate traction and you
could still have an accident. Use snow
tires or tire chains and drive at
reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and snow.
WARNING
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5-17
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K

TCS Warning Light
This warning light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. It flashes when the
system regulates engine torque.
If the light stays on, the traction control
system may have a malfunction and it
may not operate correctly. Take your
vehicle to an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

TCS OFF Indicator Light
This light comes on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.
It goes off when the engine is started. It
also comes on when you switch off the
traction control system or when the
system has a malfunction.

TCS OFF Switch
Press the TCS OFF switch to turn off the
TCS. The TCS OFF indicator light will
illuminate.
Press the switch again to turn the TCS
back on. The TCS OFF indicator light
will go out.
NOTE
•In addition to the TCS warning light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This
indicates that the traction control
system is operating properly.
•On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to
achieve high rpm when the traction
control system is on.
NOTE
After starting the engine on very cold
days, the TCS OFF indicator will
remain on and TCS will not operate
until the engine is warm.
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5-18
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
NOTE
•When TCS is on and you attempt to
free the vehicle when it is stuck, or
drive it out of freshly fallen snow,
the TCS will activate. Depressing
the accelerator will not increase
engine power and freeing the
vehicle may be difficult. When this
happen, turn off the TCS.
•If the TCS is off when the engine is
turned off, it automatically activates
when the ignition switch is turned
on.
•Leaving the TCS on will provide the
best traction.
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5-19
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
1 Speedometer ..............................................................................................................5-20
2 Odometer and Trip Meter ..........................................................................................5-20
3 Tachometer ................................................................................................................5-21
4 Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge..........................................................................5-21
5 Fuel Gauge................................................................................................................ 5-22
Meters and Gauges
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5-20
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K

Speedometer
The speedometer indicates the speed of
the vehicle.

Odometer and Trip Meter
The ignition switch must be in the ACC or
ON position.
The display mode can be changed from
odometer to trip meter A to trip meter B
and then back to odometer by pressing the
selector. The selected mode will be
displayed.
Odometer
When this mode is selected, ODO will be
displayed.
The odometer records the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.
Tr i p m e t e r
The trip meter can record the total
distance of two trips. One is recorded in
trip meter A, and the other is recorded in
trip meter B.
For instance, trip meter A can record the
distance from the point of origin, and trip
meter B can record the distance from
where the fuel tank is filled.
When trip meter A is selected, pressing
the selector again within one second will
change to trip meter B mode.
When trip meter A is selected, TRIP A
will be displayed. When meter B is
selected, TRIP B will be displayed.
Selector
Odometer
Trip meter A Press the selector
Press the selector
Press the selector Trip meter B
NOTE
The odometer and Trip meter can be
displayed as follows when the ignition
switch is in the LOCK position.
•Displays for 10 minutes after the
ignition switch is turned to the
LOCK position from the ACC or
ON position.
•Displays for 10 minutes after any
door is opened.
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